Darryl Ford Nelson

Darryl was born in Los Angeles, California, to Martin Peter Nelson and Elgia Olive Ford Nelson during the Great Depression. When he was just 11 ½ months old, his father, who owned a large auto mechanic shop in LA, passed away from colon cancer. No doubt keeping a business going at that time had been difficult. His business partner allowed Martin’s life insurance policy to lapse just three weeks before his death. The bank called the company loans. The family was left destitute. These early tragedies set the stage for Darryl’s lifelong determination to be a good husband and father.

In 1953, he married his high school friend and sweetheart, Sandra Peck, in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they had 10 children … and many adventures! He worked as a surveyor at the Cachuma Dam project near Santa Barbara and later at the California Division of Highways in LA, where, as a 27-year-old, he was tasked with designing the complex 19-lane interchange between the Golden State and San Diego Freeways. Later he was in charge of flood control for LA County until 1968, when he and Sandy moved the family to Bountiful. He worked for the Utah Division of Highways as a freeway engineer (designer) again until 1970. He moved to the concrete pipe industry in a number of positions until his retirement in 1994. He was a Chief Warrant Officer in the US Army Reserve for 42 years. Throughout his career, he put his family first, working long hours and sometimes an additional job in order to be a good provider.

Over the past several years, Darryl showed increasing signs of dementia. Then on February 1, 2017, he had his first major stroke in a series of strokes that finally ended his life on April 19, 2107. Darryl is survived by his wife, Sandra Peck Nelson; daughter, Leslie (John) Wyall; son, Matthew (Caren) Nelson; daughter, Lynn (Allen) Kulicke; son, Todd Nelson; son, Doug (Tara) Nelson; daughter, Julie (Eric) Fletcher; daughter, Jenny (Steve) Walker; son, Steve (Alison) Nelson; son, Dave (Glory) Nelson; daughter-in-law Barb Nelson; 32 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren. Darryl was preceded in death by his son, Ken Nelson.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 22nd, in the Bountiful 25th Ward Chapel, 660 East 1500 South. A viewing will be held Friday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, and Saturday morning 9:30-10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment will be in the Bountiful City Cemetery.